KINGSVILLE, Texas – Eastern New Mexico Softball dropped a tough series finale with Texas A&M-Kingsville, 9-5, on Saturday afternoon at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field. The Javelinas won the series 2-1, taking the final two games. Eastern moves to 24-23 overall, while standing 17-22 in conference action. Texas A&M-Kingsville improves to 29-21, holding onto a 23-19 LSC record.

The Javelinas started the game with a pair of runs in the opening frame. Eastern had a chance to respond in the top of the second, loading the bases with one out but the Javelinas got out of the jam. Eastern did bring the score level (2-2) in the 4^th inning. After a reach on error started the inning, ENMU loaded the bases with one out following singles from Grace Rofii and Judith Osuna. Valeria Contreras put ENMU on the board with a single to center field, then Mikenzey Patterson brought home a run on an RBI groundout.
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville wasted no time to take back the lead, providing a pair of runs from three hits in the bottom of the 4^th. ENMU forced a run home in the 5^th frame, as Osuna picked up an RBI on a bases loaded wild pitch. The home team opened the game with five runs during the bottom of the 5^th, scattering four singles and a pair of doubles to go up 9-3.
 
Samantha Gutierrez did bring the Greyhounds back with a two-run homer in the 6^th inning (9-5), but the Javelinas managed the rest of the game to take the contest 9-5 over ENMU.

NOTABLE STATS

• The two teams combined for 27 hits, with TAMUK contributing 16 hits and the Greyhounds 11 hits. Four Greyhounds registered multiple hits, while the team finished with one extra base hit.
• Gutierrez, Osuna, Patterson, and Rofii all scattered two hits, with Gutierrez hitting a two-run home run. Contreras, Osuna, and Patterson all supplied RBIs in the game.
• Marissa Rodriguez was handed the loss, hurling 4.1 inning with nine runs allowed on 15 hits. Ciara Loken retired a pair of batters, while Jordan Rivera recorded a pair of strikeouts in one inning of work.
• Carrisa De Los Santos earned the win, allowing just three runs over 4.1 innings. Jordyn Rodriguez supplied 2.2 innings in the circle, giving up two runs on just three hits.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Rofii registered multiple hits in their fourth consecutive game, while Patterson preserved their hit-streak, moving to 15 games in a row.
• Gutierrez powered their 9^th home run of the season, trailing just Alondra Vasquez and Taighen Whitzel in that category. Osuna provided their second multi-hit game of the season, with their first coming in the season opener against CSU-Pueblo (2/2).
• ENMU returns to Portales to play its final home series of the season, facing St. Mary's. The two teams meet up on Friday, April 26, for a doubleheader scheduled at 2 and 4 p.m.